glory to his name

-

1879


This hymn comes out of the heart of American gospel revivalism, and it was written to help ordinary people joyfully testify about salvation in Christ.


📜 Origins of “Glory to His Name”


Lyricist: Elisha A. Hoffman


Composer: John H. Stockton


Year written: 1879


Country: United States


Style: Gospel hymn / revival song


Both Hoffman and Stockton were active during the late-19th-century gospel song movement, when hymns were designed to be personal, expressive, and easy for congregations to sing.


💡 Inspiration Behind the Hymn


The hymn is rooted in biblical imagery from John 4, the story of Jesus and the woman at the well.


In that passage, Jesus speaks of:


“living water” that satisfies the soul.


Hoffman used this image to describe salvation as a cleansing and life-giving experience, not just a doctrine.


The repeated refrain—


“Glory to His name!”

functions as a testimony of gratitude, something believers could joyfully declare together.


✝️ Meaning of the Lyrics


Key themes include:


Cleansing from sin

“There to my heart was the blood applied”


Joyful salvation

“I am so wondrously saved from sin”


Public praise

The chorus turns personal experience into communal worship.


The hymn reflects revival theology: salvation is experienced, not merely believed.


🎼 Musical Style & Use


Bright, upbeat melody


Strong, repetitive chorus


Easy for large groups and choirs


Because of this, it became popular in:


Camp meetings


Revival services


Baptism and testimony services


It encouraged people to sing their faith out loud.


🌍 Impact and Legacy


Widely included in gospel and evangelical hymnals


Still sung in traditional and gospel churches today


Often used during joyful worship moments rather than quiet reflection


Its simplicity and energy have kept it alive for over a century.


🕊️ Core Theme


At its heart, Glory to His Name is about:


Gratitude for salvation


Joyful confession of faith


Giving credit where it belongs


It answers one question clearly:


What do saved people do?

They give glory to His name.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Set My Soul Afire

-
Image
  1923 “Set My Soul Afire” – History of the Hymn “Set My Soul Afire” is a 20th-century evangelical hymn focused on personal revival, evangelism, and spiritual passion. Author The hymn was written and composed by George W. Cooke in 1923 . Cooke was an American Methodist pastor and gospel songwriter who wrote a number of revival-style hymns during the early 1900s. Historical Context The hymn emerged during a period of strong revival movements in the United States. The early 20th century saw: Emphasis on evangelism and missionary outreach Large revival meetings and camp gatherings A focus on personal spiritual renewal “Set My Soul Afire” reflects this atmosphere, urging believers to be spiritually energized and committed to sharing the gospel. Theme and Message The central theme is spiritual renewal and evangelistic zeal . The repeated refrain: “Set my soul afire, Lord, set my soul afire…” expresses a desire for: Inner spiritual awakening Boldness in witnessing D...
Read more

Onward, Christian Soldiers

-
Image
  1865 “Onward, Christian Soldiers” – History of the Hymn “Onward, Christian Soldiers” is one of the most recognizable Christian hymns of the 19th century, known for its strong, marching rhythm and military imagery. ✍️ Lyrics: Sabine Baring-Gould Written in 1865 Baring-Gould was an Anglican priest in England He wrote the hymn for a Whit Sunday children’s procession in his parish in Yorkshire The words were reportedly written quickly—almost as a practical piece for the event rather than a major theological work The hymn uses military imagery (marching, banners, armor) to describe Christians moving forward in faith, inspired partly by biblical passages such as Ephesians 6 (“armor of God”). 🎵 Music: Arthur Sullivan The tune most commonly associated with the hymn is “St. Gertrude” Composed in 1871 by Arthur Sullivan (of Gilbert and Sullivan fame) Sullivan’s strong, processional melody helped make the hymn extremely popular 📖 Rise in Popularity Included i...
Read more

BLESSED ASSURANCE

-
Image
  1873  1. Origin and Date “Blessed Assurance” was written in 1873 in the United States during a period of vibrant Protestant hymn writing, particularly in evangelical and revivalist circles of the 19th century. Lyrics: Frances Jane (Fanny) Crosby Music: Phoebe Palmer Knapp First published: 1873 Original tune name: ASSURANCE 2. The Lyricist: Fanny J. Crosby (1820–1915) Background Fanny Crosby was one of the most prolific hymn writers in Christian history, composing over 8,000 hymns and gospel songs. She became blind at six weeks old due to improper medical treatment. Despite her blindness, she was highly educated and memorized large portions of the Bible. She believed her blindness was a spiritual gift, saying she would not change it even if she could. Theology and Style Crosby’s hymns emphasize: Personal salvation Assurance of faith Joy in Christ Testimony and witness These themes are central to “Blessed Assurance.” 3. The Composer: Phoebe Palmer Knapp (1839–1908) Phoebe Knap...
Read more